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The Princess & the Packet of Frozen Peas (Hardback) - Common
After tiring of the needs of overly demanding princesses, Prince Henrik devises a test to find a girl who s not so sensitive, using a very thin mattress and an entire packet of frozen peas. His dream girl shows up unexpectedly in the form of his old friend Pippa, who is all too happy to pitch a tent or play a hard game of hockey, after which she finds the perfect use for that packet of peas! In this twist on the fairy tale, Tony Wilson and Sue DeGenarro deliver a freshly humorous take on one prince s search for the just-right girl of his dreams.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
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Tony Wilson
10 books18 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
August 18, 2017
Prince Henrik is the brother of the prince from the "Princess and the Pea" fairy tale. He doesn't want to marry a "real princess" but rather a girl who likes hockey, so he devises his own test with a camping mattress and a sack of frozen peas. This works, but only because he's "testing" his old friend Pippa whom he already knows likes all the same outdoorsy stuff he enjoys. Soooo, the peas are kind of redundant, then, aren't they, Henrik?
No matter what kind of girl you're looking for, guys, peas are not the correct selection metric.
Try conversation.
No matter what kind of girl you're looking for, guys, peas are not the correct selection metric.
Try conversation.
August 8, 2013
This is one of my absolute favourite books for children. I buy this book to give as gifts.
This is the story of Henrik, a young prince who has decided he wants to get married. He is an outdoorsy type and hopes to marry someone who enjoys hockey and camping.
His elder brother found his wife by placing a single pea under twenty mattresses (the well known story of the princess and the pea). However Henrik is not very impressed with his overly sensitive sister-in-law, and decides he wants the complete opposite.
He hatches a plan to find a woman who won't complain about spending the entire night sleeping on a camping mattress with a packet of frozen peas underneath it.
The story ends well with the Henrik realising that his best mate Pippa loves all the things that he does, and she has a great smile and a nice laugh.
I love this story because it breaks from the traditional princess fairytale, we don't have a super-sensitive princess needing rescuing. We have a happy young lady and a happy young man who realise they are both pretty awesome. I love that the central character is the young prince, and we get to see him in a strong role - the princes are usually left nameless. I also love that we have the strong male character actively seeking a woman of substance, a really important thing for young girls to be reading.
Enjoyabilit
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous, they tell a hilarious story all on their own. I love the final page with Henrik and Pippa putting up a tent together. The story is very easy to read aloud, and the storyline is stellar.
Values
A strong male character in search of a woman of substance, seeing beauty in a smile and a laugh, wanting a woman who isn't afraid to be a mate.
(I have started keeping a blog of all my kids book reviews: http://awesomebooksforfamily.blogspot...)
This is the story of Henrik, a young prince who has decided he wants to get married. He is an outdoorsy type and hopes to marry someone who enjoys hockey and camping.
His elder brother found his wife by placing a single pea under twenty mattresses (the well known story of the princess and the pea). However Henrik is not very impressed with his overly sensitive sister-in-law, and decides he wants the complete opposite.
He hatches a plan to find a woman who won't complain about spending the entire night sleeping on a camping mattress with a packet of frozen peas underneath it.
The story ends well with the Henrik realising that his best mate Pippa loves all the things that he does, and she has a great smile and a nice laugh.
I love this story because it breaks from the traditional princess fairytale, we don't have a super-sensitive princess needing rescuing. We have a happy young lady and a happy young man who realise they are both pretty awesome. I love that the central character is the young prince, and we get to see him in a strong role - the princes are usually left nameless. I also love that we have the strong male character actively seeking a woman of substance, a really important thing for young girls to be reading.
Enjoyabilit
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous, they tell a hilarious story all on their own. I love the final page with Henrik and Pippa putting up a tent together. The story is very easy to read aloud, and the storyline is stellar.
Values
A strong male character in search of a woman of substance, seeing beauty in a smile and a laugh, wanting a woman who isn't afraid to be a mate.
(I have started keeping a blog of all my kids book reviews: http://awesomebooksforfamily.blogspot...)
December 15, 2016
This is a superb retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Girl Power
December 8, 2013
It was the fresh, fun cover that attracted me to this one AND its cool title too!
Once upon a time there was a prince called Henrik who wanted very much to fall in love and get married.
His brother, Prince Hans, has some very good advice to give.
“The important thing is to make sure she is a real princess,” says his brother, Prince Hans. “A real princess is very beautiful and very sensitive.”
Stack twenty mattresses and twenty eiderdown quilts and put a single pea at the bottom of the mattress.
“If a girl complains about feeling the pea through the mattresses and eiderdown quilts, she must be a real princess.”
After all, that’s how Hans met his wife, Princess Eva. But she’s always frowning and being sensitive about EVERYTHING. Her princess tennis balls are too bouncy, her new sports car isn’t the one she wanted and the palace maids are not doing their job! A princess doesn’t have to be beautiful, decides Henrik. She just has to like hockey and camping and have a nice smile.
So he hatches a plan to find the perfect UNREAL princess. He offers each of his stay over guests one thin camping mattress rather than twenty real ones. Instead of eiderdown quilts he offers one old sleeping bag. Instead of a single pea it’s a whole packet of frozen peas. THAT’S a test! And not a single princess passes.
“You won’t believe this, I found PEAS in my bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep at all, I found a massive lump under the mattress.”
“What’s the deal with the PACKET TO FROZEN PEAS?”
Will Henrik ever find his UNREAL princess? It is quite a challenge and a lovely idea and the nicest modern twist on the old classic. Just the kind of book I wish I’d read as a little girl !
Once upon a time there was a prince called Henrik who wanted very much to fall in love and get married.
His brother, Prince Hans, has some very good advice to give.
“The important thing is to make sure she is a real princess,” says his brother, Prince Hans. “A real princess is very beautiful and very sensitive.”
Stack twenty mattresses and twenty eiderdown quilts and put a single pea at the bottom of the mattress.
“If a girl complains about feeling the pea through the mattresses and eiderdown quilts, she must be a real princess.”
After all, that’s how Hans met his wife, Princess Eva. But she’s always frowning and being sensitive about EVERYTHING. Her princess tennis balls are too bouncy, her new sports car isn’t the one she wanted and the palace maids are not doing their job! A princess doesn’t have to be beautiful, decides Henrik. She just has to like hockey and camping and have a nice smile.
So he hatches a plan to find the perfect UNREAL princess. He offers each of his stay over guests one thin camping mattress rather than twenty real ones. Instead of eiderdown quilts he offers one old sleeping bag. Instead of a single pea it’s a whole packet of frozen peas. THAT’S a test! And not a single princess passes.
“You won’t believe this, I found PEAS in my bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep at all, I found a massive lump under the mattress.”
“What’s the deal with the PACKET TO FROZEN PEAS?”
Will Henrik ever find his UNREAL princess? It is quite a challenge and a lovely idea and the nicest modern twist on the old classic. Just the kind of book I wish I’d read as a little girl !
July 3, 2012
I love this book. I buy this book for birthday presents. I recommend this book to friends. I retell this story to my adult friends and they all enjoy it.
Why do I love it? Because when searching for live the young prince wants someone who likes camping and hockey and has a nice smile.
Remember the story of "the princess and the pea", well this story takes place many years later as the younger brother is now thinking about getting married. He has a good look at his sister-in-law and decides she is too sensitive. He discards his brothers suggestion of placing a pea under a pile of mattresses and comes up with his own plan.
This is a children's picture book. Suitable for 2-5 year olds.
Why do I love it? Because when searching for live the young prince wants someone who likes camping and hockey and has a nice smile.
Remember the story of "the princess and the pea", well this story takes place many years later as the younger brother is now thinking about getting married. He has a good look at his sister-in-law and decides she is too sensitive. He discards his brothers suggestion of placing a pea under a pile of mattresses and comes up with his own plan.
This is a children's picture book. Suitable for 2-5 year olds.
May 14, 2012
Everything I love in a kiddie book aimed at girls. New take on a fairy tale where the girl walks to the beat of her own drum and is celebrated!
July 21, 2014
A delightful little story that shows being different is okay, good even, and it's important to listen to your heart.
May 24, 2012
There once was a Prince called Henrik who wanted to make sure he married the right person. He saw that his brother married a “real” princess because he did this test where you put a pea under a bunch of mattresses. Well, he sure didn’t want the same type of girl that his brother married, so he decided that he wanted to marry the “exact opposite” of the type of girl his brother married. He wanted to marry someone who liked “hockey and camping and [had] a nice smile.” So he thought if he put a whole bag of frozen peas under one small mattress than he could find all the prissy girls and avoid them.
Then along came his friend Pippa who liked hokey (think field hockey) and spying on his sister-in-law (the real princess) and laughing. He put a bag of frozen peas under her thin camping mattress. And she loved them! She thought they were the perfect thing—an ice pack—for soothing her muscles after a long day of playing hockey. So the Prince and Pippa lived happily ever after.
What a spectacular twist on a fun fairy tale! This shows that Henrik had some great powers of observation in seeing what his brother had and knowing just what he wanted. It also shows that playing hockey and being compatible are more important than looking like a princess or becoming a princess. And it shows that princesses (or “unreal princesses”) are just as much fun as the princesses who have all the fancy dresses. Plus they can do things and be themselves. Oh how I love twists on fairy tales! And this is totally one that should be read over and over again to all the little girls who are princesses on the hockey fields!
Then along came his friend Pippa who liked hokey (think field hockey) and spying on his sister-in-law (the real princess) and laughing. He put a bag of frozen peas under her thin camping mattress. And she loved them! She thought they were the perfect thing—an ice pack—for soothing her muscles after a long day of playing hockey. So the Prince and Pippa lived happily ever after.
What a spectacular twist on a fun fairy tale! This shows that Henrik had some great powers of observation in seeing what his brother had and knowing just what he wanted. It also shows that playing hockey and being compatible are more important than looking like a princess or becoming a princess. And it shows that princesses (or “unreal princesses”) are just as much fun as the princesses who have all the fancy dresses. Plus they can do things and be themselves. Oh how I love twists on fairy tales! And this is totally one that should be read over and over again to all the little girls who are princesses on the hockey fields!
June 2, 2012
Henrik was a prince who wanted to fall love and marry a princess who liked hockey and camping, just like he did. He wasn’t sure how to find such a princess, so he asked his brother, Prince Hans, for advice. Hans suggested using the same test he used when he found his wife, Princess Eva: place a single pea under a stack of mattresses to test for sensitivity. But after Henrik observed fussy Princess Eva, he decided he wanted the exact opposite! So instead of twenty mattresses, he found a thin camping mattress and instead of a single pea he used a whole packet of frozen peas. Did Henrik’s test work and what happens when his best friend Pippa comes to visit?
I love stories about unconventional royalty, so this book tickles my fancy. Henrik is a sweet and thoughtful prince and Pippa is cheerfully resourceful. The detailed illustrations are humorous and child-like. A combination of color pencil work and collage elements, deGennaro’s drawings are at their best when showing the relationships between characters. I also love the wardrobe she picked out for the characters, especially prissy Princess Eva. The text is an even mix of narrative and dialogue written in third person. Wilson is very playful with his text, changing fonts to highlight important words and allowing the text to flow around illustrated elements.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
I love stories about unconventional royalty, so this book tickles my fancy. Henrik is a sweet and thoughtful prince and Pippa is cheerfully resourceful. The detailed illustrations are humorous and child-like. A combination of color pencil work and collage elements, deGennaro’s drawings are at their best when showing the relationships between characters. I also love the wardrobe she picked out for the characters, especially prissy Princess Eva. The text is an even mix of narrative and dialogue written in third person. Wilson is very playful with his text, changing fonts to highlight important words and allowing the text to flow around illustrated elements.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
November 21, 2019
The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson, illustrated by Sue deGennaro. Peachtree Publishing Company, 2018. $8. 9781682630518
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K. EL (K-3)- ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Unlike the Prince in the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, Prince Henrik wants a princess who likes to play hockey, go camping and has a nice smile. Prince Henrick watched his sister-in-law and decided he wanted the complete opposite in his princess. Instead of following his brother’s advice by putting a single pea under a pile of mattresses, Henrick found a thin camping mattress, an old sleeping bag and used a whole packet of FROZEN PEAS. Parents and children alike will delight in the tender and unique ending to this not so common fairy tale!
What a fantastic twist on the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea! Rarely does such a creative plot such as this come along. We loved this book! The illustrations are so much fun. The colors are subtle and detailed. Each page tells a story in and of itself. We loved the practicality of the plot and celebrated its fun and unique ending. This is a must for every home and library!
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K. EL (K-3)- ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Unlike the Prince in the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, Prince Henrik wants a princess who likes to play hockey, go camping and has a nice smile. Prince Henrick watched his sister-in-law and decided he wanted the complete opposite in his princess. Instead of following his brother’s advice by putting a single pea under a pile of mattresses, Henrick found a thin camping mattress, an old sleeping bag and used a whole packet of FROZEN PEAS. Parents and children alike will delight in the tender and unique ending to this not so common fairy tale!
What a fantastic twist on the traditional fairy tale The Princess and the Pea! Rarely does such a creative plot such as this come along. We loved this book! The illustrations are so much fun. The colors are subtle and detailed. Each page tells a story in and of itself. We loved the practicality of the plot and celebrated its fun and unique ending. This is a must for every home and library!
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
July 3, 2014
This is quite a good anti-traditional princess book. The prince is hunting for a princess who will play hockey and go camping with him. He tests girls by putting a bag of frozen peas under a thin mattress and sleeping bag.
The concept of the book is good. My daughter found it quite funny. However it needed to go further for me!
Merged review:
This book starts out with great premise. The idea being that the prince doesn't want a real princess as he wants someone to laugh and play hockey with and go camping. He tests girls with a bag of frozen peas under a thin mattress and a sleeping bag. He the chooses the girl who was his best friend all along.
The idea is great but I wanted it to go further. The prince is still "in charge" of the decision, his wants come first, the girl is a minor character.
It made my daughter laugh but I want even more next time. The girl should be of more importance and focus!
The concept of the book is good. My daughter found it quite funny. However it needed to go further for me!
Merged review:
This book starts out with great premise. The idea being that the prince doesn't want a real princess as he wants someone to laugh and play hockey with and go camping. He tests girls with a bag of frozen peas under a thin mattress and a sleeping bag. He the chooses the girl who was his best friend all along.
The idea is great but I wanted it to go further. The prince is still "in charge" of the decision, his wants come first, the girl is a minor character.
It made my daughter laugh but I want even more next time. The girl should be of more importance and focus!
Read
September 23, 2016Brief Review: This book had a very cute message showing that not only can perfectly poised ladies become princesses but that princesses can enjoy camping and outdoor sports as well. The pictures are also pretty funky looking so that would definitely keep children's attention.
Content Areas: This book could be used to show the difference between an old-fashioned fairy tale and a new modern twist as well as distinguishing between opposites in a story.
Comprehensive Questions:
1. Why does Prince Henric test ladies with frozen peas?
He wants to find a princess that is not typical and doesn't complain.
2. How do Henric and Pippa know each other?
She is an old friend of Henric's that he hasn't seen for a long time.
Wonders:
1. What does sensitive mean?
2. What does Pippa mean when she says she isn't a real princess?
Content Areas: This book could be used to show the difference between an old-fashioned fairy tale and a new modern twist as well as distinguishing between opposites in a story.
Comprehensive Questions:
1. Why does Prince Henric test ladies with frozen peas?
He wants to find a princess that is not typical and doesn't complain.
2. How do Henric and Pippa know each other?
She is an old friend of Henric's that he hasn't seen for a long time.
Wonders:
1. What does sensitive mean?
2. What does Pippa mean when she says she isn't a real princess?
April 3, 2012
What a fun story! Prince Henrik is looking for a princess to marry, preferably one who enjoys hockey and camping. When he asks his older brother for advice, the older prince recommends putting a pea under a pile of mattresses to weed out a real princess. But after watching his brother's "sensitive" wife in action - she's mean, demanding, and picky, even if she is pretty and a real princess - Henrik decides to devise his own tests. Using a camping cot and a whole package of frozen peas, Henrik finds his own perfect mate and readers find that just being yourself has its own merits.
The illustrations are a bit of a wash-out, and actually detract a bit from the action and the ease of reading the book since some of the words are tricky to find.
The illustrations are a bit of a wash-out, and actually detract a bit from the action and the ease of reading the book since some of the words are tricky to find.
July 20, 2013
This is a delightful book about being clear about what is important to you in friends, or in this case, about a prince’s future wife! Tony Wilson includes a bit about the test for princesses with the pea, but adds in more flavor as this particular prince decides to test with a package of frozen peas. And after looking at a variety of princesses, he looks again at his best friend, Pippa. It’s a cute book for older primary students and would be fun to pair with the original princess and the pea story and have good conversations about the similarities and differences.
December 2, 2012
LOVED THIS BOOK! My little girl asked me to read her a bedtime story. This book was within easy reaching distance and so it's the one we read that evening. It was a perfect book to read to her and we were able to have a nice discussion before she went to sleep about what it means to be an "un-princess."
July 15, 2014
This is my girls' new favorite book. It's a cute story about a prince who decides to look for an unconventional princess. As my sister just told me, this type of book is called a fractured fairy tale - a takeoff of a traditional fairy tale that has an unexpected twist. They love the illustrations, and I love the message it sends about how princesses can be outdoorsy and low maintenance.
July 17, 2012
I really loved this story, for the mere fact that it told a classic fairy tale with a much better ending. I like this one much better than the original, and it is something everyone should read. The illustrations are very simplistic, but I think this adds to the concept of the story.
May 28, 2013
Prince Henrik was looking for a princess.
"She just had to like hockey and camping and have a nice smile."
Love!
"She just had to like hockey and camping and have a nice smile."
Love!
April 30, 2012
This is so awesome I'm doing a whole storytime on princesses and princes soon! Adorable illustrations, great story.
May 23, 2012
It's not perfect--I think he pops the question a little too soon, but this is by far the best picture book about a prince I've read.
May 19, 2012
Redefines 'princess' for the better. Love that my girls love this book!
May 24, 2012
A great one for the princess fan. Excellent alternative princess/feisty female book.
May 26, 2012
A tomboy take on the princess and the pea story (this princess uses a pack of frozen peas to ice down her hockey injury).
July 4, 2012
LOVE! Fairy tale told from a boy's perspective that encourages girls to be themselves? Yes, please!! Sweet, interesting illustrations. Love it.
July 24, 2012
Loved this modern take on the Princess and the Pea. For all the "unreal" princesses out there.
July 25, 2012
Great fractured fairy tale!
January 23, 2013
This was a funny book. I loved it.
September 11, 2012
This one might have been a teensy bit too old for Jordan, but I loved it. A clever and modern rethinking of the Princess and the Pea.
October 17, 2012
Funny and a great take on the Princess and the Pea
October 18, 2012
Cute spin on The Princess and the Pea - I like the "unreal princess" storyline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews